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Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Qishen Yiqi Dripping Pill (QSYQ) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: This multicentre prospective cohort study was conducted at 40 centers in China. Patients with ACS after PCI entered either the QSYQ or Western medicine (WM) groups naturally based on whether they had received QSYQ before enrollment. QSYQ group received QSYQ (0.52 g, 3 times a day for 12 months) in addition to WM. The primary endpoint included cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and urgent revascularization. The secondary endpoint included rehospitalization due to ACS, heart failure, stroke, and other thrombotic events. Quality of life was assessed by the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ). Results: A total of 936 patients completed follow-up of the primary endpoint from February 2012 to December 2018. Overall, 487 patients received QSYQ and WM. During a median follow-up of 566 days (inter quartile range, IQR, 517–602), the primary endpoint occurred in 46 (9.45%) and 65 (14.48%) patients in QSYQ and WM groups respectively [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.41–0.90; P=0.013]. The secondary endpoint occurred in 61 (12.53%) and 74 (16.48%) patients in QSYQ and WM groups, respectively (adjusted HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.53–1.09; P=0.136). In sensitivity analysis, the results still demonstrated that WM combined with QSYQ reduced the risk of the primary endpoint (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.46–0.98; P=0.039). Moreover, QSYQ improved the disease perception domain of the SAQ (P<0.05). Conclusion: In patients with ACS after PCI, QSYQ combined with WM reduced the incidence of the primary endpoint. These findings provide a promising option for managing ACS after PCI and suggest the potential treatment for reducing the risk of primary endpoint included cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and urgent revascularization through intermittent administration of QSYQ (Registration No. ChiCTR-OOC-14005552) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adverse perinatal factors can interfere with the normal development of the brain, potentially resulting in long-term effects on the comprehensive development of children. Presently, the understanding of cognitive and neurodevelopmental processes under conditions of adverse perinatal factors is substantially limited. There is a critical need for an open resource that integrates various perinatal factors with the development of the brain and mental health to facilitate a deeper understanding of these developmental trajectories. In this Data Descriptor, we introduce a multicenter database containing information on perinatal factors that can potentially influence children's brain-mind development, namely, periCBD, that combines neuroimaging and behavioural phenotypes with perinatal factors at county/region/central district hospitals. PeriCBD was designed to establish a platform for the investigation of individual differences in brain-mind development associated with perinatal factors among children aged 3–10 years. Ultimately, our goal is to help understand how different adverse perinatal factors specifically impact cognitive development and neurodevelopment. Herein, we provide a systematic overview of the data acquisition/cleaning/quality control/sharing, processes of periCBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the combined anti-inflammatory effect of activating blood circulation and detoxifying Chinese medicines in unstable angina (UA) patients. Methods: This study was an open-labeled, randomized controlled trial conducted in 5 centers in Beijing. A total of 154 patients were randomized into two groups at a 1:1 ratio by random numbers. Based on the conventional treatment, patients in the activating blood circulation (ABC) group were treated with Guanxin Danshen Droping Pill (冠心丹参滴丸, 0.4 g, thrice daily), and patients in the activating blood circulation and detoxifying (ABCD) group were treated with Guanxin Danshen Droping Pill (0.4 g, thrice daily) and Andrographis tablet (0.2 g, thrice daily) for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was the serum level of high sensitive C reaction protein (hs-CRP), and the secondary outcome index included the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), thrombomodulin (TM), the score of angina pectoris, the score of blood stasis syndrome, and the score of Chinese medicine symptoms, observed at week 0 and week 4. Results: A total of 144 patients completed the trial (ABC group, n=70; ABCD group, n=74). There were no significant differences in the clinical baseline characteristics between the two groups. When compared with the ABC group, ABCD group showed better performance in reducing the level of inflammatory factors, especially hs-CRP (P<0.05), IL-6 (P<0.01) and TNF-α (P<0.01). In term of clinical symptoms, ABCD group played a better role in improving the scores of angina pectoris and blood stasis syndrome than ABC group (all P<0.05). Conclusions: The combination of Guanxin Danshen Dropping Pill and Andrographis tablet exert significant anti-inflammatory effect on UA patients, which is superior to single Guanxin Danshen Dropping Pill. (Registration No. ChiCTR-TRC-13004072) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the birth condition of preterm infants and the causes of preterm birth in Henan Province, China, and to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of preterm birth. Methods An epidemiological investigation was conducted for live-birth preterm infants who were born in 53 hospitals in 17 cities of Henan Province from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 to investigate the incidence rate of preterm birth, the distribution of gestational age and birth weight, the use of antenatal glucocorticoids, and the causes of preterm birth. Results The incidence rate of preterm birth was 5.84% (12 406/212 438) in the 53 hospitals. The proportions of preterm infants with gestational ages of <28 weeks, 28 - <32 weeks, 32 - <34 weeks, and 34 - <37 weeks were 1.58% (196/12 406), 11.46% (1 422/12 406), 15.18% (1 883/12 406), and 71.78% (8 905/12 406) respectively. The proportions of preterm infants with birth weights of <1 000 g, 1 000-<1 500 g, 1 500-<2 500 g, 2 500-<4 000 g, and ≥4 000 g were 1.95% (240/12 313), 8.54% (1 051/12 313), 49.53% (6 099/12 313), 39.59% (4 875/12 313), and 0.39% (48/12 313) respectively. The infants born by natural labor accounted for 28.76% (3 568/12 406), and those born by cesarean section accounted for 70.38% (8 731/12 406). The rate of use of antenatal glucocorticoids was 52.52% (6 293/11 983) for preterm infants and 68.69% (2 319/3 376) for the preterm infants with a gestational age of <34 weeks. Iatrogenic preterm labor was the leading cause of preterm birth [40.06% (4 915/12 270)], followed by spontaneous preterm birth [30.16% (3 701/12 270)] and preterm birth due to premature rupture of membranes [29.78% (3 654/12 270)]. The top three causes of iatrogenic preterm birth were hypertensive disorders of pregnancy [47.12% (2 316/4 915)], fetal intrauterine distress [22.85% (1 123/4 915)], and placenta previa/placental abruption [18.07% (888/4 915)]. Conclusions There is a relatively low incidence rate of preterm birth in Henan Province, and late preterm infants account for a relatively high proportion. Iatrogenic preterm birth is the main cause of preterm birth in Henan Province, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and fetal intrauterine distress are the main causes of iatrogenic preterm birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resilience capacity has been associated with individuals' flexibility and adaptability in responding to potential trauma. Culture-related appraisals influence not only interpretations of etiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and perception of severity of PTSD symptoms but also flexible coping strategies. However, adequate research of the mechanisms on how culture may affect the relationship between resilience and PTSD does not yet exist. The present study focused on whether and how culture (America, Hong Kong, and Mainland China) moderated the relationship between resilience capacity and severity of posttraumatic distress. Data were collected at three research sites (America, Hong Kong, and Mainland China) where 558 trauma survivors were recruited. Measures included the Life Events Checklist (LEC-5), the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and the Revised Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-R). The results of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that American participants were more resilient than the participants in Hong Kong and Mainland China. The results of multiple regression indicated that frequency of exposure to trauma was a weaker predictor of severity of PTSD symptoms at high versus low levels of resilience capacity. The results also indicated a weaker moderating effect of Hong Kong versus American culture on the relation between resilience capacity and PTSD. This pilot study highlighted East–West cultural differences in the baselines of resilience capacity and posttraumatic stress and may motivate clinicians and researchers to reevaluate Western diagnostic criteria to psychological trauma conceptualization and treatment for non-Western populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive deficits have been commonly observed in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD), including memory, attention, and executive function difficulties. The present study evaluates the specific cognitive deficits in Chinese children with DCD, through a number of tests. A total of 401 children aged 7 to 10 years old from primary schools in Guangdong Province, China, participated in this study. Using the guidelines of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children ("Movement ABC-2"), a measurement tool of motor function ability, the children were divided into a DCD group, a group identified as being at risk of DCD, and a normal control group. The results of our analysis revealed that children's overall motor abilities could predict their overall cognitive ability, reaction time, memory, and attention. The performance of the DCD children was worse than that of the other two groups in terms of reaction time. The DCD group also returned lower scores for executive function than the normal control group did. A regression analysis showed that the cognitive deficits in children with DCD center mainly on poor executive function rather than attention and memory issues. These findings provide preliminary results regarding the cognitive deficits in Chinese children with DCD and have potential applications for the diagnosis and treatment of the disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study that compares the biologic characteristics of one experimental precocious strain of Eimeria acervulina and seven field isolates from different areas in China. It assesses the immune efficacy of two precocious strains against coccidiosis in chickens to explore their use as coccidiosis vaccines. The results show that the average body weight gains of chickens in all the vaccinated and challenged groups were higher than those of nonvaccinated and challenged groups.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effects of Chinese medicine (CM) on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with a prospective cohort study. Methods: A total of 334 AMI patients from January 2007 to March 2009 were consecutively enrolled, and were assigned to a treatment group (169 cases) treated with combined therapy (CM for at least one month and Western medicine) and a control group (165 cases) with Western medicine alone. Clinical data including age, gender, smoking, medical history, infarction area, heart functional classification, CM syndrome scores, blood-stasis syndrome score, primary end-point (death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and revascularization) and secondary end-point (ischemic stroke, rehospitalization due to angina, heart failure and shock), were collected. CM syndrome scores, blood-stasis syndrome score, primary end-point and secondary end-point were collected during the 6-month follow-up. Kaplan-Meier method was used for the survival analysis. The multifactor analysis was analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: At the end of 6-month the CM syndrome score and bloodstasis syndrome score in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01), especially the symptoms of chest pain, spontaneous perspiration and insomnia. Rehospitalization rate due to angina during the 6-month follow-up in the treatment group (2.96%) was lower than that in the control group (7.88%, P<0.05). Kaplan- Meier survival curve showed that event-free cumulated survival of rehospitalization due to angina during the 6-month follow-up in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group (Log rank 4.700, P=0.03). Cox regression analysis showed that heart dysfunction [hazard ratio (HR)=1.601, 95% CI=1.084-2.364, P=0.018] and diabetes mellitus (HR=1.755, 95% CI=1.031-2.989, P=0.038) were hazard factors to end-point, whereas CM (HR 0.405, 95% CI=0.231-0.712, P=0.002), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI, HR=0.352, 95% CI=0.204-0.607, P<0.001) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (HR=0.541, 95% CI=0.313-0.936, P=0.028) were protective factors. Conclusions: CM therapy could decrease CM syndrome scores and blood-stasis syndrome score, reduce the rehospitalization rate during 6-month follow-up due to angina. Heart dysfunction and diabetes mellitus were hazard factors to end-point, whereas CM, PCI and ACE inhibitors were protective factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on the chemical constituents of the roots of Paeonia albiflora Pall. led to the isolation of four new compounds named (3R,4S)-3-methyl-3,4-dihydro-5,6,7-trihydroxy-4-(3'-methoxy-4'-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-[2]-benzopyran-1-one (1), 5-hydroxy-6-methyl-1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde (2), trans-5-hydroxy-2-methoxy-6-methyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-3-yl methyl benzoate (3) and cis-5-hydroxy-2-methoxy-6-methyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-3-yl methyl benzoate (4), and two known ones, (7S,8S)-3-methoxy-3',7-epoxy-8,4'-oxyneligna-4,9,9'-triol (5) and (7S,8R)-dihydrodehydrodiconifery alcohol (6). Their structures were determined mainly by spectroscopic techniques including 2D-NMR (HSQC, HMBC, NOESY), MS, and CD experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous and prolonged human disturbances have caused severe degradation of a large portion of lowland in South China, and how to restore such degraded ecosystems becomes an increasing concern. The process and mechanisms of spontaneous succession, which plays an important role in vegetation restoration, have not been adequately examined. To identify the pathways of early spontaneous vegetation succession, 41 plots representing plant communities abandoned over different times were established and investigated. The communities and indicator species of the vegetation were classified by analyzing the important values of plant species using multivariate analyses. The results indicated that the plant species could be classified into nine plant communities representing six succession stages. The pathway and species composition also changed in the process of succession. We also measured 13 environmental variables of microtopography, soil structure and soil nutrition in each plot to examine the driving forces of succession and the vegetation-environment relationships. Our results showed that the environmental variables changed in diverse directions, and that soil bulk density, soil water capacity and soil acidity were the most important factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duane retraction syndrome (DRS) is a neuromuscular dysfunction of the eyes. Although many causative genes of DRS have been identified in Europe and the United States, few reports have been published in regard to Chinese DRS. The aim of the present study was to explore the genetic defect of DRS in a Chinese family. Exome sequencing was used to identify the disease-causing gene for the two affected family members. Ophthalmic and physical examinations, as well as genetic screenings for variants in chimerin 1 (CHN1), were performed for all family members. Functional analyses of a CHN1 variant in 293T cells included a Rac-GTP activation assay, α2-chimaerin translocation assay, and co-immunoprecipitation assay. Genetic analysis revealed a NM_001822.7: c.637T > G variant in the CHN1 gene, which resulted in the substitution of a highly conserved C1 domain with valine at codon 213 (NP_001813.1: p.(Phe213Val)) (ClinVar Accession Number: SCV001335305). In-silico analysis revealed that the p.(Phe213Val) substitution affected the protein stability and connections among the amino acids of CHN1 in terms of its tertiary protein structure. Functional studies indicated that the p.(Phe213Val) substitution reduced Rac-GTP activity and enhanced membrane translocation in response to phorbol-myristoyl acetate (PMA). Together with previous studies, our present findings demonstrate that CHN1 may be an important causative gene for different ethnicities with DRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obscure pufferfish (Takifugu obscurus) is an important aquaculture species in China, and sex control breeding is extremely attractive in this species because the testes of male pufferfish are more popular and expensive. However, the sex-specific marker remains unknown and reliable genetic sex identification method has not been established, which has hampered the development of monosexual aquaculture. In this study, the sex-linked amhr2 SNP site of obscure pufferfish was firstly identified by sequencing and high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis. The males exhibit heterozygous genotype (C/G), while females have homozygous genotype (C/C), which is identical to its closely-related species (T. rubripes , T. poecilonotus and T. pardalis). Then, two pairs of male-specific primers were designed based on the sex-specific SNP site and a high-throughput sexing method was subsequently developed with benefits including high specificity and superb sensitivity. Particularly, this method has greatly reduced analysis time and costs compared to the previously established HRM analysis. These results will be beneficial to develop the sex control breeding in obscure pufferfish. • The sex-linked amhr2 SNP site was firstly confirmed in obscure pufferfish. • The SNP of obscure pufferfish is identical to its closely-related species (T. rubripes , T. poecilonotus and T. pardalis). • Two pairs of male-specific primers were designed for genetic sex identification in obscure pufferfish. • An efficient, low-cost and reliable method has been established for high-throughput sexing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Test component of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children 2nd Edition (Movement ABC-2) is used worldwide to identify children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). In China, practitioners have been using this test with the assumption that the published UK norms are valid for Chinese children. However no systematic investigation has previously been undertaken to check this assumption. 2185 children aged 3-10 years old from a national representative sample in China were therefore recruited to the current study. Performance on the Movement ABC-2 was assessed and compared with the UK standardization norms. Gender differences were also examined. The comparisons revealed that Chinese children were generally better in Manual Dexterity and Balance tasks compared to their UK peers; while UK children were better in Aiming & Catching tasks. Further analysis showed an interaction of country and age with mixed results. For both countries, girls were generally better in Manual Dexterity and Balance tasks, and boys were generally better in Aiming & Catching. Possible explanations for the country differences are discussed. The results suggest that local norms for the Movement ABC-2 Test are needed in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of obstetric and environmental influences on Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) helps provide increased understanding of the mechanisms underlying the disorder. However, the literature to date has not adequately examined the obstetric and environmental risk factors for DCD in a population-based sample. The current study was therefore conducted to explore the prenatal, perinatal, neonatal, and family environmental risk factors for DCD. A total of 2185 children aged 3-10 years from a national representative sample in China were included; the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 was used to assess motor function, and a questionnaire was completed by parents. DCD was identified in 156 children according to the DSM-5 criteria. Multilevel logistic regression was used, and comparisons were made between the DCD and non-DCD group. The results confirmed that male sex, BMI score, preterm birth, and some prenatal conditions are significant risk factors for DCD. Parents' education level and one-child status as two significant environmental risk factors for DCD appear largely independent of other risk factors in the Chinese population. This study provides an opportunity to explore the etiology of DCD and suggest potential assessment, monitoring and intervention programs for DCD that could be examined in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is crucial to elucidate the impact of climate change on wheat production in China. This article provides a review of the current climate change scenario and its effects on wheat cultivation in China, along with an examination of potential future impacts and possible response strategies. Against the backdrop of climate change, several key trends emerge: increasing temperature during the wheat growing season, raising precipitation, elevated CO 2 concentration, and diminished radiation. Agricultural disasters primarily stem from oscillations in temperature and precipitation, with the northern wheat region being mostly affected. The impact on wheat production is manifested in a reduction in the area under cultivation, with the most rapid reduction in spring wheat, and a shift in the center of cultivation to the west. Furthermore, climate change accelerates the nutritional stage and shortens phenology. Climate change has also led to an increase in yields in the Northeast spring wheat region, the Northern spring wheat region, the Northwest spring wheat region, and the North China winter wheat region, and a decrease in yields in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River winter wheat region, the Southwest winter wheat region, and the South China winter wheat region. To cope with climate change, Chinese wheat can adopt adaptation strategies and measures such as breeding different wheat varieties for different wheat-growing regions, implementing differentiated farmland management measures, promoting regional ecological farmland construction, and establishing scientific monitoring and early warning systems. While future climate change may stimulate wheat yield potential, it could cause climate-induced issues such as weeds, diseases, and pests worsen, thereby posing challenges to the sustainability of farmland. Moreover, it is essential to conduct comprehensive research on pivotal areas such as the microscopic mechanism of climate change and wheat growth, the comprehensive influence of multiple climate factors, and the application of new monitoring and simulation technologies. This will facilitate the advancement of related research and provide invaluable insights., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© 2025 Fan et al.)

The mainland Chinese fauna of the leaf beetle genus Adiscus Gistel, 1857 is revised and three new species described: Adiscus daofuensis Duan Zhou, new species from Sichuan, Gansu and Henan, A. ningshanensis Duan Zhou, new species from Shaanxi, and A. tanae Duan Zhou, new species from Tibet. One species is newly recorded from China: A. pubiventris Medvedev, 2008. The mainland Chinese fauna of Adiscus is 35 species, almost all of which are redescribed. Color illustrations and line drawings are provided and a key to all 35 Chinese mainland species. Types of the new species are deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Monthly datasets of ecological indicators from 2010 to 2020 in Shahe Reservoir, Tianmuhu, China, were examined to reveal the long-term variations in water ecological security and its driving factors. The results of Secchi disk depth(SD) measurements revealed significantly spatial variation( P <0.05) within the reservoir. The highest SD was recorded in the downstream-linked reservoir, and the lowest SD was recorded in the upstream tributaries. In contrast, the values of other water ecological indicators were higher in the upstream tributaries than in the transition region and the downstream-linked reservoir area. In summer and autumn, the SD was low, while the concentrations of total phosphorous(TP), chlorophyll a(Chl-a), the permanganate index, and cyanobacterial biomass(BM c ) were high. During the thermal stratification period from May to September, the concentrations of 2-methylisoborneol(MIB) and Chl-a were highest at a depth of 4 m, while diatom biomass(BM b ) and BM c reached their maximum at depths of 2 m and 0.5 m, respectively. Therefore, spatial and temporal variations should be fully considered when evaluating aquatic ecological security. Focusing on spring and summer, when the risk of water ecological security was high, Chl-a combined with SD and MIB along with their correlation with other water quality indexes, was used to evaluate and optimize the ecological security of Shahe Reservoir. The evaluation results showed that the aquatic ecological security of the reservoir was excellent over the last 10 years; however, annual fluctuations have been large and the evaluation scores were spatially variable. While seasonal sampling strategies focusing on three layers depths are economical and reliable for lake regions with thermal stratification, our results indicate that tailored monitoring may be required to determine the aquatic ecological security of lakes and reservoirs. In Shahe Reservoir, the decrease in the SD and the increase in MIB caused by high TP and algal blooms were the most important drivers of ecological service function in the reservoir. Furthermore, hydrometeorological factors may also play important roles in the aquatic ecological security of reservoirs.

Daily intake of tea has been known to relate to a low risk of depression. In this study, we report that a special variety of tea in China, Camellia assamica var. kucha ( kucha ), possesses antidepressant effects but with less adverse effects as compared to traditional tea Camellia sinensis . This action of kucha is related to its high amount of theacrine, a purine alkaloid structurally similar to caffeine. We investigated the antidepressant-like effects and mechanisms of theacrine in chronic water immersion restraint stress and chronic unpredictable mild stress mice models. PC12 cells and primary hippocampal neural stem cells were treated with stress hormone corticosterone (CORT) to reveal the potential antidepression mechanism of theacrine from the perspective of adult hippocampus neurogenesis. Results of behavioral and neurotransmitter analysis showed that intragastric administration of theacrine significantly counteracted chronic stress-induced depression-like disorders and abnormal 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) metabolism with less central excitability. Further investigation from both in vivo and in vitro experiments indicated that the antidepressant mechanism of theacrine was associated with promoting adult hippocampal neurogenesis, via the modulation of the phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4)/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/cAMP response-element binding (CREB)/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) pathway. Collectively, our findings could promote the prevalence of kucha as a common beverage with uses for health care and contribute to the development of theacrine as a potential novel antidepressant medicine.

Objective: To investigate the birth condition of preterm infants and the causes of preterm birth in Henan Province, China, and to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of preterm birth., Methods: An epidemiological investigation was conducted for live-birth preterm infants who were born in 53 hospitals in 17 cities of Henan Province from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 to investigate the incidence rate of preterm birth, the distribution of gestational age and birth weight, the use of antenatal glucocorticoids, and the causes of preterm birth., Results: The incidence rate of preterm birth was 5.84% (12 406/212 438) in the 53 hospitals. The proportions of preterm infants with gestational ages of < 28 weeks, 28 - < 32 weeks, 32 - < 34 weeks, and 34 - < 37 weeks were 1.58% (196/12 406), 11.46% (1 422/12 406), 15.18% (1 883/12 406), and 71.78% (8 905/12 406) respectively. The proportions of preterm infants with birth weights of < 1 000 g, 1 000- < 1 500 g, 1 500- < 2 500 g, 2 500- < 4 000 g, and ≥ 4 000 g were 1.95% (240/12 313), 8.54% (1 051/12 313), 49.53% (6 099/12 313), 39.59% (4 875/12 313), and 0.39% (48/12 313) respectively. The infants born by natural labor accounted for 28.76% (3 568/12 406), and those born by cesarean section accounted for 70.38% (8 731/12 406). The rate of use of antenatal glucocorticoids was 52.52% (6 293/11 983) for preterm infants and 68.69% (2 319/3 376) for the preterm infants with a gestational age of < 34 weeks. Iatrogenic preterm labor was the leading cause of preterm birth[40.06% (4 915/12 270)], followed by spontaneous preterm birth[30.16% (3 701/12 270)] and preterm birth due to premature rupture of membranes[29.78% (3 654/12 270)]. The top three causes of iatrogenic preterm birth were hypertensive disorders of pregnancy[47.12% (2 316/4 915)], fetal intrauterine distress[22.85% (1 123/4 915)], and placenta previa/placental abruption[18.07% (888/4 915)]., Conclusions: There is a relatively low incidence rate of preterm birth in Henan Province, and late preterm infants account for a relatively high proportion. Iatrogenic preterm birth is the main cause of preterm birth in Henan Province, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and fetal intrauterine distress are the main causes of iatrogenic preterm birth.

Through field survey and laboratory analysis, we examined the composition and fractal features of soil micro-aggregates in different types of treefall gaps and microsites (pit bottom and mound top) in broad-leaved Korean pine forest and spruce-fir-Korean pine forest. Results showed that the contents of soil microaggregates under the classes of 0.25-2 mm and 0.05-0.25 mm were higher in both forest types, ranging from 25.7% to 50.7% and from 27.0% to 42.8%, respectively, and that of <0.002 mm was the lowest, ranging from 4.4% to 8.9%. In the pit bottom and mound top of gaps, soil bulk density was higher in both forest types. Soil nutrient content in mound top was higher than that in pit bottom and was higher in broad-leaved Korean pine forest than spruce-fir-Korean pine forest. Soil microaggregates of <0.002 mm had no correlation with soil physical and chemical properties, whereas that of 0.25-2 mm and 0.002-0.02 mm had significantly positive and negative correlation with soil non-capillary porosity, total porosity, aeration porosity, organic matter, total phosphorus, total nitrogen and organic carbon, respectively. On the whole, soil fractal dimension (D) and the proportion of characteristic soil micro-aggregates (PCM) in broad-leaved Korean pine forest were larger than those in spruce-fir-Korean pine forest, and the ratio of soil microaggregates diameter (RMD) in mound top and pit bottom was increased in two forest types. Soil D and PCM had no significant correlation with soil physical and chemical properties, while RMD was negatively correlated with capillary porosity, total porosity, soil bulk density and aeration porosity. In two forest types, the formation of mound and pit microsites could decrease the larger size micro-aggregates and the stability of soil micro-aggregate, increase soil D and PCM, and signifi-cantly increase RMD. RMD could be used as a quantitative index of soil physical and chemical properties in pit and mound microsites of forest.

Background: Tbx2 plays a critical role in determining fates of cardiomyocytes. Little is known about the contribution of TBX2 3' untranslated region (UTR) variants to the risk of congenital heart defect (CHD). Thus, we aimed to determine the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TBX2 3' UTR with CHD susceptibility., Methods: We recruited 1285 controls and 1241 CHD children from China. SNPs identification and genotyping were detected using Sanger Sequencing and SNaPshot. Stratified analysis was conducted to explore the association between rs59382073 polymorphism and CHD subtypes. Functional analyses were performed by luciferase assays in HEK-293T and H9c2 cells., Results: Among five TBX2 3'UTR variants identified, rs59382073 minor allele T carriers had a 1.89-fold increased CHD risk compared to GG genotype (95% CI = 1.48-2.46, P = 4.48 × 10 -7 ). The most probable subtypes were right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, conotruncal, and septal defect. G to T variation decreased luciferase activity in cells. This discrepancy was exaggerated by miR-3940 and miR-708, while their corresponding inhibitors eliminated it., Conclusion: T allele of rs59382073 in TBX2 3'UTR contributed to greater CHD risk in the Han Chinese population. G to T variation created binding sites for miR-3940 and miR-708 to inhibit gene expression.

To reveal the effects of decay level of fallen trees and their formed microsite types on soil physicochemical properties, the differences in soil physicochemical properties (bulk density, capillary porosity, total porosity, capillary water holding capacity, saturated moisture capacity, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorous, available phosphorous, available potassium, and pH) and stoichiometry (C/N, N/P, and C/P) among different decay levels of treefalls and between different microsite types in the formed gaps by fallen trees were analyzed in a spruce-fir fore-st in a valley of Liangshui National Nature Reserve in Xiaoxing' an Mountains. The results showed that the effects of the decay levels of fallen trees on soil physical properties was not significant. In contrast, we found significant effects of the formed microsite types in soil physical properties. Except for saturated soil water holding capacity, the other soil physical properties were the best under the fallen trees and the worst in the pit bottom. Except of available phosphorus, the contents of the other soil nutrients exhibited a significant increase trend with the increasing decay levels of fallen trees. Among three microsites, the contents of soil nutrients were the lowest and pH were highest in the pit. As for the shallow soil layer, C/N, N/P and C/P of three microsites decreased with the increasing decay levels of fallen trees, while C/N in mound top and in pit bottom increased, N/P and C/P decreased, and the variation of C/P was consistent with that of available phosphorus. In conclusion, with the increasing decay levels of fallen trees, the contents of soil nutrients were signifi-cantly increased. There are significant differences of soil nutrients among different microsites, with the lowest values in the pit.

As a well-known transcription factor, TBX5 is involved in embryonic cardiac development. Although TBX5 functions in a dose-dependent manner, the posttranscriptional regulation of human TBX5 is poorly understood. Thus, this study aimed to identify microRNAs that modulate TBX5 expression. Luciferase assays were used to screen miRNAs predicted to modulate TBX5 expression. Using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis, the authors found that miR-10a and miR-10b significantly repressed TBX5 expression and decreased TBX5 protein levels by targeting the TBX5 3'-untranslated region. In addition, miR-10a and miR-10b expression levels were respectively 2.77 and 3.51 times higher in the heart tissues of congenital heart disease patients than in healthy control subjects, suggesting that they are potential diagnostic biomarkers. In conclusion, the study results indicate that miR-10a and miR-10b inhibit TBX5 expression at the level of translation. Higher levels of miR-10a and miR-10b expression are associated with a higher risk of congenital heart defects.

Background: Genome-wide association studies on components of the one-carbon metabolic pathway revealed that human vitamin B12 levels could be significantly influenced by variations in the fucosyltransferase 2 (FUT2), cubilin (CUBN), and transcobalamin-I (TCN1) genes. An altered vitamin B12 level is an important factor that disturbs the homeostasis of the folate metabolism pathway, which in turn can potentially lead to the development of congenital heart disease (CHD). Therefore, we investigated the association between the variants of vitamin B12-related genes and CHD in Han Chinese populations., Methods and Results: Six variants of the vitamin B12-related genes were selected for analysis in two independent case-control studies, with a total of 868 CHD patients and 931 controls. The variant rs11254363 of the CUBN gene was associated with a decreased risk of developing CHD in both the separate and combined case-control studies. Combined samples from the two cohorts had a significant decrease in CHD risk for the G allele (OR = 0.48, P = 1.7×10⁻⁵) and AG+GG genotypes (OR = 0.49, P = 4×10⁻⁵), compared with the wild-type A allele and AA genotype, respectively., Conclusions: Considering the G allele of variant rs11254363 of the CUBN gene was associated with an increased level of circulating vitamin B12. This result suggested that the carriers of the G allele would benefit from the protection offered by the high vitamin B12 concentration during critical heart development stages. This finding shed light on the unexpected role of CUBN in CHD development and highlighted the interplay of diet, genetics, and human birth defects.

Three representative forest gaps with pit-mound microsites formed by uprooted trees were selected within the 2.55 hm2 plot in a Pinus koraiensis-dominated broad-leaved mixed forest in Xiao Xing'an Mountains of Northeast China. The cleared land and closed stand were set up as the controls, and the PAR, air temperature and relative humidity in the centers of different size gaps and in mound top as well as the total radiation and precipitation in the gap centers were measured between July and September, 2011 by using multichannel automatic meteorological stations. The differences of the microclimate between the gap centers and mound top in different months were compared, and the monthly and diurnal variations of the microclimatic factors in the gap centers and in the mound top under typical weather conditions were analyzed. The results showed that the mean monthly PAR and air temperature in the three gaps of different sizes were in the order of large gap > medium gap > small gap, and the mean monthly relative humidity was in the order of small gap > medium gap > large gap. For the same size gap, the mean monthly PAR and air temperature were higher in the mound top than in the gap center, whereas the mean monthly relative humidity was higher in the gap center than in the mound top. Both the mean monthly total radiation and the mean monthly air temperature in the forest gaps and in the controls were in the order of July > August > September and of cleared land > large gap > medium gap > small gap > closed stand, while the mean monthly relative humidity was in the order of closed stand > small gap > medium gap > large gap > cleared land. The differences in the mean monthly relative humidity between closed stand and various gaps and between closed stand and cleared land reached significant level. The monthly precipitation from July to September decreased in the order of cleared land > large gap > medium gap > small gap > closed stand. Whether in sunny days or in overcast days, the mean daily PAR and air temperature were higher in mound top than in gap center, and the mean daily relative humidity was in opposite. Whether in mound top or in gap center, the mean daily PAR and air temperature were higher in sunny days than in overcast days, while the mean daily relative humidity was higher in overcast days than in sunny days.

Abstract: An investigation was conducted in a 2.55 hm2 plot of Pinus koraiensis-dominated broad-leaved mixed forest to study the microsite characteristics of pit and mound formed by 42 treefalls and the status of vegetation regeneration on the microsites. The soil water content, soil temperature, relative air humidity, and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) on five microsites (mound top, mound face, pit wall, pit bottom, and intact forest floor) were measured. Among the five mirosites, mound top had the highest PAR (527.9 micromol.m-2.s-1 ) while intact forest floor had the lowest one (58.7 micromol.m-2.s-), mound top had the highest soil temperature (16.0 degrees C) but pit bottom had the lowest one (13.3 degrees C), pit bottom had the highest soil water content (34.6%) but mound face had the lowest one (0.5%), and intact forest floor had the highest relative air humidity (75.9%) but mound top had the lowest one (68.0%). The frequency of forming pit/ mound complex by the tree species was decreased in the order of Pinus koraiensis (42. 9%) >Picea asperata (31.0%) > Betula platyphylla (16.7%) > Abies fabri (7. 1%) > Prunus padus (2.4%). Among the 42 treefalls, two-thirds of them were in northwest direction. The treefalls volume had significant positive correlations with pit depth, pit length, mound height, and mound width, but negative correlation with mound thickness. The treefall mean diameter at breast height had significant positive correlations with pit width (r=0.328, P=0.017) and pit length (r=0.527, P= 0). The tree species richness at the microsites decreased in the order of intact forest floor > pit > mound, and the tree species coverage was in the sequence of intact forest floor > pit > mound.

1 m x 1 m fixed quadrats were parallelly arranged with a space of 2 m in each of six forest gaps in Pinus koraiensis-dominated broadleaved mixed forest, taking the gap center as the starting point and along east-west and south-north directions. In each quadrat, the coverage and abundance of herbaceous plants at different height levels were investigated by estimation method in June and September 2011, and the matrix characteristics within the quadrats were recorded. Canopy analyzer was used to take fish-eye photos in the selected overcast days in each month from June to September, 2011, and the relative light intensity was calculated by using Gap Light Analyzer 2.0 software. The differences in the relative light intensity and herbaceous plants coverage and richness between different gaps as well as the correlations between the coverage of each species and the direct light, diffuse light, and matrix were analyzed. The results showed that in opening areas and under canopy, the relative light intensity in large gaps was higher than that in small gaps, and the variation ranges of diffuse light and direct light from gap center to gap edge were bigger in large gaps than in small gaps. The direct light reaching at the ground both in large gaps and in small gaps was higher in the north than in the south direction. In the Z1, Z2, Z3, and Z4 zones, both the coverage and the richness of herbaceous plants were larger in large gaps than in small gaps, and the differences of species richness between large and small gaps reached significant level. The coverage of the majority of the herbaceous plants had significant correlations with diffuse light and matrix, and only the coverage of a few herbaceous plants was correlated with direct light.

HOBO automatic weather stations were installed in the central parts and at the south, north, east, and west edges of large, medium, and small gaps in a Pinus koraiensis-dominated broadleaved mixed forest in Xiaoxing' anling Mountains to measure the air temperature, relative humidity, and photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) in these locations and the total radiation and precipitation in the gap centres from June to September 2010, taking the closed forest stand and open field as the controls. The differences in the microclimate between various size forest gaps and between the gap centers and their edges as well as the variations of the microclimatic factors over time were analyzed, and the effects of sunny and overcast days on the diurnal variations of the microclimatic factors within forest gaps were compared, aimed to offer basic data and practice reference for gap regeneration and sustainable management of Pinus koraiensis-dominated broadleaved mixed forest. The PPFD was decreased in the order of large gap, medium gap, and small gap. For the same gaps, the PPFD in gap centre was greater than that in gap edge. The mean monthly air temperature and total radiation in gap centres were declined in the sequence of July, June, August, and September, and the amplitudes of the two climatic factors were decreased in the order of open field, large gap, medium gap, small gap, and closed forest stand. The mean monthly relative humidity in gap centres dropped in the order of August, July, September, and June, and the amplitude of this climatic factor was decreased in the sequence of closed forest stand, small gap, medium gap, large gap, and open field. The total and monthly precipitations for the three different size gaps and open field during measurement period generally decreased in the order of open field, large gap, medium gap, small gap, and closed forest stand. In sunny days, the variations of PPFD, air temperature, and relative humidity were greater in large gap than in small gap, but in overcast days, it was in opposite.

Background: Homocysteine is known to be an independent risk factor for congenital heart disease (CHD). Methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) is essential for the adequate remethylation of homocysteine, which is the dominant pathway for homocysteine removal during early embryonic development., Methods and Results: Here, we report that the c.56+781 A>C (rs326119) variant of intron-1 of MTRR significantly increases the risk of CHD in the Han Chinese population. In 3 independent case-control studies involving a total of 2340 CHD patients and 2270 healthy control participants from different geographic areas, we observed that patients carrying the heterozygous AC and homozygous CC genotype had a 1.40-fold (odds ratio=1.40; P=2.32×10(-7)) and 1.84-fold (odds ratio=1.84; P=2.3×10(-11)) increased risk, respectively, of developing CHD than those carrying the wild-type AA genotype. Both in vivo quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of MTRR mRNA in cardiac tissue samples from CHD patients and in vitro luciferase assays in transfected cells demonstrated that the c.56+781 C allele profoundly decreased MTRR transcription. Further analysis demonstrated that the c.56+781 C allele manifested reduced CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α binding affinity. In addition, healthy individuals with the homozygous CC genotype had significantly elevated levels of plasma homocysteine compared with the wild-type AA carriers., Conclusions: We have demonstrated that the MTRR c.56+781 A>C variant is an important genetic marker for increased CHD risk because this variant results in functionally reduced MTRR expression at the transcriptional level. Our results accentuate the significance of functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms in noncoding regions of the homocysteine/folate metabolism pathway core genes for their potential contributions to the origin of CHD.

Background: Clinical research indicates that periconceptional administration of folic acid can reduce the occurrence of congenital cardiac septal defects (CCSDs). The vital roles of folate exhibits in three ways: the unique methyl donor for DNA expression regulation, the de novo biosynthesis of purine and pyrimidine for DNA construction, and the serum homocysteine removal. Thymidylate synthase (TYMS) is the solo catalysis enzyme for the de novo synthesis of dTMP, which is the essential precursor of DNA biosynthesis and repair process. To examine the role of TYMS in Congenital Cardiac Septal Defects (CCSDs) risk, we investigated whether genetic polymorphisms in the TYMS gene associated with the CCSDs in a Han Chinese population., Method: Polymorphisms in the noncoding region of TYMS were identified via direct sequencing in 32 unrelated individuals composed of half CCSDs and half control subjects. Nine SNPs and two insertion/deletion polymorphisms were genotyped from two independent case-control studies involving a total of 529 CCSDs patients and 876 healthy control participants. The associations were examined by both single polymorphism and haplotype tests using logistic regression., Result: We found that TYMS polymorphisms were not related to the altered CCSDs risk, and even to the changed risk of VSDs subgroup, when tested in both studied groups separately or in combination. In the haplotype analysis, there were no haplotypes significantly associated with risks for CCSDs either., Conclusion: Our results show no association between common genetic polymorphisms of the regulatory region of the TYMS gene and CCSDs in the Han Chinese population.

This paper studied the quantitative characteristics of main tree species along a forest gap gradient (gap center-near gap center-gap border) of mixed broadleaved Korean pine forest in Xiaoxing'an Mountains, as well as the effects of forest gap size on the regeneration of the tree species. In forest gap, the density of shrub species was obviously larger than that in non-gap, and the density ratio of the same shrub species in forest gap to in non-gap ranged from 1.08 to 18.15. With the increase of gap size, the regeneration density of tree seedlings increased, and that of sapling I (H > or = 1 m, DBH < or = 2 cm) and sapling II (H > or = 1 m, 2 cm < DBH < or = 5 cm) exhibited multiple peak curve. The overall regeneration density of shrubs in forest gaps varied mainly with the amounts of tree seedlings and sapling I. The mean height, mean basal diameter, species density, and individual density of trees in different locations of forest gaps were all different. From gap center to non-gap, the importance value of tree species seedlings in regeneration layer was ranked in gap center > near gap center > gap border > non-gap, the tree species evenness presented a variation of high-low-high, and the species diversity decreased in the order of early phase gap > mid phase gap > late phase gap.

Taking the forest gaps of natural Pinus koraiensis broadleaved mixed forest in Xiao Xing'an Mountains as test object, and by the method of grids, the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) in the gaps was continuously measured during growth season, and the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of the PPFD were analyzed by fundamental statistics and geostatistics methods. In the forest gaps, the high-value region of PPFD presented an obvious diurnal change, with the maximum PPFD appeared at 12:00 and in the northern part of the gaps. The mean monthly PPFD was the highest in June, and then decreased in the sequence of July, August, and September, with the largest coefficient of variation at different locations occurred in July and the medium variability in all the months. In different months, the intensity and the scale of PPFD spatial heterogeneity in the gaps differed, with the variation degree being the highest in June and the sill and proportion being the largest in July. The complex degree of the monthly PPFD patches also differed, with the maximum located in the northeast part of the gaps. The variation sequence of the mean monthly PPFD in understory and open ground was consistent with that in gap, and the mean monthly PPFD was the highest in open ground, medium in forest gap, and the lowest in understory.

By the method of sample trees stem analysis, this paper studied the growth process and diameter structure of 21-year-old Larix principis-rupprechtii plantations with the densities of 1200, 1500, and 2000 stems x hm(-2) in the head-water area on the southern slope of Liupan Mountain in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The results showed that there were no significant differences in the growth status of L. principis-rupprechtii stands among the three densities when the stand age was less than 10 years. However, obvious differences were observed in the diameter and timber volume of individual trees and in the stand volume when the stand age was more than 10 years. The tree growth status in low-density stand was apparently better than that in medium- and high-density stands, but the height growth had no significant difference among the three densities. There was a significant difference in the skewness coefficient (Sk) of diameter distribution among the stands with different density, being higher (Sk = 0.338) in high-density stand than in medium-density stand (Sk = 0.072) and low-density stand (Sk = 0.015). The diameter distribution in high-density stand deviated from normal distribution, with a zenith tending to left, while that in medium- and low-density stands approached a normal distribution, with a more reasonable density structure. The kurtosis coefficient (K = 1.691) of medium-density stand was higher than that of high-density stand (K = 1.532) and low-density stand (K = 0.665), indicating a lower degree of polarization of tree growth in medium-density stand than in other two stands. The reasonable remaining density of 21-year-old L. principis-rupprechtii plantations was suggested to be 1200 stems x hm(-2).

By the help of HOBO automatic weather stations, the microclimatic characteristics of different size forest gaps in Pinus koraiensis-dominated broadleaved mixed forests in Xiaoxing' an Mountains were studied during growth season, with closed forest and bare ground as the control. The results showed that the diurnal variation of illumination, ground temperature, and air temperature of the gaps and the controls, as well as the change trend of the microclimatic factors during growth season, all presented a single peak curve. The diurnal variation pattern of relative humidity of the gaps and the control was high-low-high, being higher in early morning and evening and lower at noon. The relative humidity during growth season also presented a single peak curve, and was the highest for closed forest, followed by small, medium, and large forest gaps, and bare ground. The amount and the times of precipitation tended to decrease with increasing forest canopy, and the precipitation amount in large gaps was about 1.4 times as much as that in small gaps. During growth season, the maximum wind speed above bare ground, large, medium, and small gaps, and closed forest was 3.34, 2.97, 2.87, 2.41 and 1.84 m x s(-1), respectively.

Objective: To study the effects of the potential factors, including Chinese herbal decoction, on the long-term prognosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI)., Methods: Previous clinical data of 162 patients with AMI were collected, who were followed-up to observe the important events for prognosis, as death and cardio-cerebral episode, and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the relative factors., Results: The degree of cardiac function (by New York grading) increased 1 grade when age increased for 10 years, and the relative hazardous degree (RHD) raised to 1.983 and 3.169. After treatment with Chinese herbal decoction and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), the RHD could be reduced to 0.177 and 0.161 respectively. Taking the important cardio-cerebral events, including death, as the endpoint, when age increased for 10 years, the cardiac function would increase for 1 grade and RHD of endpoint events increased to 2.021 and 1.863, if patients had history of anterior infarction, arrhythmia and diabetes mellitus, it increased to 2.903, 2.588 and 4.039 respectively. Chinese decoction and ACEI treatment could reduce it to 0.093 and 0.141 respectively., Conclusion: Age, heart failure, anterior infarction, arrhythmia and diabetes mellitus are the hazardous factors of the long-term prognosis of AMI, Chinese herbal decoction and ACEI are the protective factors.

Aim: To estimate the mortality rates of gastroenterologic cancers for the period between 1974 and 1999, in Henan Province, China and its epidemiologic features., Methods: Information on death of patients with cancer was provided by the county-city registries. Population data were provided by the local police bureau. All the deaths of cancer registered were classified according to the three-digit rubric of the ICD-9. Cancer mortality rates reported herein were age-adjusted, using the world population as standard and weighted piecewise linear regression analysis., Results: Total cancer age-adjusted mortality rates were 195.91 per 100,000 for males and 124.36 per 100,000 for females between 1996 and 1998. During the period of 1974-1999, a remarkable decrease took place in esophageal carcinoma, stomach cancer remained essentially stable and liver cancer, a moderate increase. Colorectal cancer was slightly increased over the last two decades., Conclusion: The population-based cancer registry can give an accurate picture of cancer in Henan Province, by providing a set of analyses of selected cancer mortality data as a source of reference for researchers in cancer, public health and health care services.